GIBRALTAR , April 30 (UPI) -- Gibraltar is back to normal after a power plant fire last week left the British protectorate without electricity for several hours.
The 2.3-square mile territory at the southern end of Spain and the western end of the Mediterranean Sea, known as a tourist destination and for its iconic Rock of Gibraltar, was affected by the explosion at the Waterport power station. No explanation for the incident was given, but terrorism is not suspected.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo visited the blackened, partially-destroyed power station, congratulating fire fighters for their “extraordinary job” in containing the fire, adding, “Everyone works in the same direction for Gibraltar.”
The population of 30,000 has several working engines in the Waterford station to rely on for electrical power, and functioning engines will restart in a matter of months. He added the government will award a contract for a new power station within a month. The explosion caused a ball of fire and blackened much of the power station. There were no injuries.
